Associate Director of Medical Strategy

📍 New Jersey, US
· 3 days a week in the office · 🧬 AI & Health Comms

Medical strategy is one of the areas I spend the most time in, so I see a lot of these roles — and every so often one comes along that I genuinely want to tell people about. This is one of them.

I’m working with a health comms agency I rate enormously, and they’re looking for an Associate Director of Medical Strategy to be the scientific brain behind their work. Here’s why I think it’s worth a look.

They’re an AI and technology business as much as a health comms one — and they’ve built it that way from the ground up, not bolted it on after the fact. For a medical strategist, that’s real leverage. The technology takes the weight off insight-gathering and content, which frees you up to spend your time where it counts: on the data, the narrative and the strategy clients actually remember you for.

The role itself is broad, which is part of the appeal. You’d own the scientific thinking — turning complex data into clear strategic imperatives and communication platforms that help HCPs move from evidence to action. You’d be a senior scientific partner to clients across pharma and biotech, sitting with their medical affairs and brand teams, shaping strategy and leading pitches. You’d design the engagement that brings it to life, from KOL and advisory boards to omnichannel medical.

And you’d help set the standard for how AI genuinely makes medical strategy better — which, at this agency, is a conversation they’re excited to be leading. Alongside all that, you’d mentor strategists and writers and help raise the scientific bar across the board.

In terms of who they’re after, I think you’d need a strong scientific grounding — an advanced degree is typical, though honestly the quality of thinking matters more than the letters after your name — plus real medical strategy experience inside a comms or medical affairs agency. The ability to turn dense clinical data into a sharp, credible story is the thing that matters most, closely followed by the confidence to advise senior clients and lead the room.

A few things I’d add from knowing them well: this is a business that’s growing and investing in its people rather than cutting them, it’s privately held so there’s none of the short-term investor pressure, and the global team behind you is genuinely strong. It’s the kind of place you can shape, not just slot into.

On location — it’s New Jersey, three days a week in the office. This is a role that works best with you in the room, close to the team and the science.

Compensation is $ bonus with a strong benefits package including full health, dental and vision cover for you and your family.